Screening & Discussion. “Culture vs. War”
You must register by 5pm on October 8, 2024 to attend this event.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Ukrainian Film Club of Columbia University will screen the second installment of the new documentary series “Culture vs. War.” It is a collection of six documentary shorts united by one theme: how Ukrainian culture was transformed into a weapon to repel the brutal Russian aggression. The three documentaries to be screened and discussed will feature the celebrated cinematographer Serhii Mykhalchuk, serving on the front line and documenting the war; actor and director Akhtem Seitablaiev; and photographers Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov. Yuri Shevchuk, Director of the Ukrainian Film Club, will introduce the documentaries and hold the post-screening Q-and-A.
Serhii Mykhalchuk is a celebrated director of photography and photo artist. He shot some 40 films, four of them were offered for the US Academy Award consideration. He was won many prestigious international film festival awards. He authored ten personal photo exhibitions. From the outset of the Russian full-scale invasion, he has served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Mykhalchuk’s current photo exhibit reflects tragic moments of the war and Ukrainians’ heroic fight for freedom and identity. Says Serhii, “In addition to a machine-gun, we also have a camera. We can memorialize this history and this war. This war transformed my consciousness. Many horrible frames are the evidence of the Russian Federation’s war crime for the International Tribunal.”
Akhtem Seitablaiev is the director of the cultural space the Crimea Home. He directed such feature narratives as Khaitarma, Somebody Else’s Prayer, Cyborgs, Zakhar Berkut amnong others. He acted in more then 30 parts in cinema and theater. In February 2022 Seitableiev volunteered as a member of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov are based in Odesa these photographers are among the most recognizable in their profession in Ukraine. Beginning with the first days of the Russian full-scale aggression, they have worked in the hottest spots of the frontline. Their photography is an emotional, honest, and breath-taking evidence of Russian crimes against the Ukrainian people. Their pictures are published by the New York Times, Vogue Magazine, Forbes, Die Welt, the BBC and others.
This film project is realized by the Watch Ukrainian Association to promote Ukrainian film with support of the European Union in Ukraine, the MXП for Community Foundation and the Babylon Company.
Docuseries web page: https://culturevswar.org.ua/en/
